Steven Spielberg discusses his decision to omit subtitles in West Side Story. The director’s recent project is the second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 Broadway melodic of the same name. The original movie modification was highly praised by fans and analysts alike, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1961, as well as the record holder for the most Academy Awards for a melodic, winning a total of ten that time, including Best Picture. Often regarded as one of the greatest melodic films of all time, Spielberg took on the challenges that came with remaking West Side Story in his first aim at the genre.

The plot of Spielberg’s West Side Story remain the same: Two teenagers fallen in love in 1950 s New York City, despite having affiliations with adversary street organizations, the Airplane and the Sharks. The film stars Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the lead roles of Tony and Maria, and peculiarities Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, and Mike Faist. Rita Moreno, who starred in the original 1961 modification, appears in a supporting role and suffices as an ministerial farmer this time around. Ahead of its exhaust, the remake has garnered early critical acclaim, with countless admiring its direction and screenplay. Spielberg has been open about how recreating West Side Story fulfilled a childhood dream of his and how his respect for its story influenced any modifications made during the filmmaking process.

Related: Why West Side Story’s Trailer Is Hiding So Many Major Elements

One note many commentators have pointed out is that this West Side Story does apart with subtitles. IndieWire recently disclosed the reasons for this behind Spielberg’s imaginative decision to not subtitle any of the Spanish dialogue in the film. The lead indicated by the he chose to omit subtitles “out of respect for the inclusivity of our intentions to hire a absolutely Latinx cast to play the Sharks’ boys and girls.” While numerous could argue against his hand-picked, belief it leaves non-Spanish speaking audiences unaware of what is being said, the chairman felt he needed to respect the language and his cast of performers. Read more of Spielberg’s explanation regarding the omission of subtitles below 😛 TAGEND

“That was a mandate that I put down to Cindy Tolan who given the movie, that I wasn’t going to entertain any auditions that aren’t parents or grandparents or themselves from Latinx countries. Extremely Puerto Rico, we glanced a lot in Puerto Rico, “were having” 20 performers in our cinema from Puerto Rico or they’re Nuyorican. That was very important and that becomes hand-in-hand with my infer for not subtitling the Spanish. If I subtitled the Spanish I’d simply be redoubling down on the English and leaving English the dominance over the Spanish. This was not going to happen in this film, I needed to respect its own language enough not to subtitle it.”

Spielberg’s decision is important , not only for audiences of the cinema, but for his throw. Moreno has spoken about the 1961 version’s lack of diversification, where lily-white performers were made to appear Puerto Rican. Her involvement behind the scenes on this adaptation renders her of a say in its approach to sure-fire intuitions. Moreno has praised Spielberg’s imaginative preferences and explained how his West Side Story can help advance the representatives from Latinx performers in Hollywood.

Fans of the stage melodic and original movie change should not mind the updates Spielberg imparted to West Side Story. His version aims to be more authentic, and so far, connoisseurs have praised such an approach. Audiences do not want to see more of the same regardless, and Spielberg’s film volunteers devotees many other changes to be excited about. As prospect surrounding the cinema thrives, love will get a chance to revisit West Side Story when it arrived at the theaters on December 10.

More: Everything We Know About Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story

Source: IndieWire

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